Budget cuts forced Barrett’s exit

Kevin Ricketts

Good show on the road as Hawks impress to beat Wealdstone

Hawks boss Shaun Gale has lifted the lid on the shock departure of Neil Barrett.

The former Pompey midfielder left Westleigh Park after just seven games.

And Gale, who has come in for stick since Barrett’s exit, has revealed it was down to a lack of finance at the Blue Square Bet South club.

Barrett was unveiled as the man to help the misfiring Hawks turn their fortunes around after a disappointing start to the season.

But following the club’s FA Cup exit at Weston-super-Mare, he was shown the door.

‘I would very much liked to have kept him,’ said Gale.

‘A player with his experience would be a great asset to the club and he was just starting to get into his stride. He hadn’t played a lot in pre-season but he was one of those unassuming players who you know what you are going to get week in, week out.

‘After losing at Weston in the FA Cup, though, I was told to reduce my playing budget.

‘With Neil being a non-contract player and a fairly high earner, I had little choice but to let him go.

‘My budget is now significantly lower than what it was at the start of the season because a few players have gone without being replaced.’